The widow Meng said, "If you want to help someone, you have to see who you're helping. Let me be blunt—your grandma's family, there isn't a decent person among them. Why are you running to them, seeking trouble? I heard that you hit your third aunt yesterday. Is that true?"
It seemed the earlier words weren't the point; the last question was clearly what the widow Meng was after.
"How could I?" Tian Sangsang drawled, "I don't mess with people unless they mess with me. But even a cornered dog will leap over a wall, let alone a person. Isn't that right, Sister Meng?"
Widow Meng was secretly surprised. Today, Tian Sangsang's demeanor was different. Yesterday, she'd heard rumors that Tian Sangsang had hit her third aunt, but she hadn't believed it. To widow Meng, Tian Sangsang was someone who had always managed to garner both her disdain and sympathy. In the village, besides those women still unmarried, there weren't many women without husbands and still young. She was one, and Tian Sangsang was another.
But today, Tian Sangsang had even smiled at her. She had never smiled before—always with a stiff, cold face. Not to mention, Tian Sangsang used to hardly speak. Driven by her innate curiosity, that's why widow Meng had initiated a conversation with Tian Sangsang today.
"Life always goes on. Back when my husband died, didn't I manage on my own? Now, nobody dares to bother me. So, sister, I believe you're someone blessed with good fortune. Don't lose heart. You still have your son. Things will get better."
"Thank you for your kind words, Sister Meng." Tian Sangsang replied with a faint smile, rolling the hemp rope that bound the wooden bucket, one loop at a time.
"Brother Li, here to fetch water?" Widow Meng suddenly beamed at the tall man standing nearby.
Tian Sangsang, who was also a woman, heard the sudden change in widow Meng's tone and felt a jolt in her chest, her skin crawling with goosebumps.
From Tian Sangsang's countless *visual* assessments of men, this guy was undoubtedly top-tier! He was the rugged type that soft girls tend to fawn over.
A solid piece of steel, like a block of wood, standing still. His masculine aura radiated in waves, even Tian Sangsang could feel the tension caused by his sturdy presence. This kind of vibe had a powerful impact on widows—just look at widow Meng's expression; wasn't there something brewing? His short black hair, thick eyebrows, and deep eyes were complemented by a sleeveless vest—clearly worn due to the summer heat—that revealed his muscular arms, faintly glistening with sweat. With his two muscular, power-packed legs, he was the textbook definition of a rugged "man's man."
"Mmm." The man grunted in reply, his voice coarse and rich—a bona fide deep bass.
"Oh my, I think I smell blood on you. Have you been hunting in the back mountain again?" Widow Meng asked.
"Mmm." Faced with this delicate, flirty woman, Li Zhengxiong—whether due to low emotional intelligence or some other reason—responded nonchalantly, his expression unchanging, his gaze unwavering.
"In our village, only Brother Li has the guts to venture into the back mountain. I hear there are wild boars there. While I know you're brave, still, you must be careful," Widow Meng said.
"Mmm." Li Zhengxiong nodded slightly.
Tian Sangsang, listening at the side, couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for widow Meng. This man was seriously stingy with words!
Perhaps Tian Sangsang's silent ridicule worked, because he added, "Caught a pheasant and a rabbit. I'll send half of one to Sister Meng later." Li Zhengxiong was known for his generosity. Living with only his mother, he often gave away some of his game when approached. This habit had made certain village folks, who loved freeloading, regularly drop by his home whenever he had fresh catches. Yet he never minded.
"I won't be shy about that then." Widow Meng accepted with a smile. "Brother Li, let me give you a piece of advice. When you catch anything, keep it for yourself. It'll be good to save some for the winter. Sure, you're not married yet, so it's no big deal now. But once you have a wife, if you keep giving away things like today, whether it's to me or someone else, your wife might get jealous."
Li Zhengxiong scratched his head awkwardly. "Who'd marry me? You're overthinking this, Sister Meng."
"What kind of talk is that!?" Widow Meng hastily replied. "Brother Li, with your good heart, you'll definitely get a wife someday."
Discussing marriage with an unmarried man, Li Zhengxiong blushed. He ignored the comment. "Sister Meng, you said something wrong earlier."
"Huh?"
"I'm not the only one who went to the back mountain yesterday. The two girls from the Tian Family and Teacher Zhou also went." Speaking, he glanced at Tian Sangsang, who was fetching water.
Damn! Did this guy really have to bring up that sore spot? Tian Sangsang couldn't resist rolling her eyes and pulled up her bucket angrily.
Li Zhengxiong touched his nose and thought to himself—did he just see Tian Sangsang roll her eyes? Nah, must've been a mistake.
Wait—Tian Sangsang suddenly froze. Could it be that this man had also been there yesterday? Based on what she'd heard, this man, named Li Zhengxiong, was a hunter in the village. Strong, taciturn, and bold, he often ventured into the mountains. If he had been there yesterday...
Tian Sangsang couldn't help but glance at Li Zhengxiong.
But at the moment, Li Zhengxiong was chatting with widow Meng.
"Brother Li, your clothes are torn," widow Meng noted. "Coincidentally, my late husband left behind some clothes. They're sitting unused in my house anyway. I'll bring some over to you in a bit."
"Sister, that's really not necessary." Li Zhengxiong replied sincerely.
Widow Meng said, "Don't worry about it. You used to call my husband 'big brother,' didn't you? Though not by blood, there was still a bond. Besides, I can't just eat your rabbit for free. I've grown up eating rabbit only a handful of times. So look at it as my way of repaying you."
"That's still not right. I willingly gave it to you, Sister. How could I take Big Brother's clothes…" Li Zhengxiong shook his head, mulling over what else to say. Widow Meng cut him off decisively, "Really, don't be so polite with me. Wait here, I'll be back soon." She walked off happily, swaying her hips as she went.
Uh... this...
Fetching water turned into unexpectedly watching some juicy drama unfold. Hehehe...
Li Zhengxiong effortlessly picked up his water bucket. Just as he was about to lower it into the well, he crossed eyes with Tian Sangsang across the way, whose smile was rather peculiar.
"Ahem." Feeling his gaze, Tian Sangsang promptly hid her smile and nodded. "Brother Li, I'm heading back."
Embarrassment flooded her—there was no need to imagine how unflattering her laugh must have looked with her usual stern face.
Carrying her water bucket back home, Tian Sangsang spotted Meng Shuyan standing at the doorway, unmoving like a little rock, staring off toward the distance.
"Son, I'm home!" Tian Sangsang broke into a big grin.
The little guy finally stopped sulking. With a giggle, he circled around her, softly calling out, "Mommy."